TUCSON, Ariz. — A 51-year-old Mexican national has been sentenced to 24 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for assaulting a U.S. Border Patrol agent during an encounter along the Arizona border earlier this year.
Sandra Meza-Casillas pleaded guilty to Assault on a Federal Officer before receiving her sentence on August 11 from U.S. District Judge Angela M. Martinez.
The case stemmed from an April 16, 2025 incident in Nogales, where agents were pursuing an individual who had jumped over the international border wall. According to court documents, Meza-Casillas was seen lying on the ground near the border road. When an agent approached, she fled eastward while two men on the Mexican side of the wall appeared to guide her.
After a short chase, the agent caught up to Meza-Casillas and attempted to take her into custody. She then turned and sprayed the agent with pepper spray, striking him on the left side of his face.
The assault case was prosecuted as part of Operation Take Back America, a Justice Department initiative that coordinates federal efforts to combat illegal immigration, cartel activity, and transnational criminal organizations.
Meza-Casillas will serve her prison term before beginning her period of supervised release.
